Around the World

Afghanistan

Kiowa Overwatch in Afghanistan
Laghman Province, Afghanistan—U.S. Army Sgt. Kenneth Cain, a squad leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment from Dubuque, Iowa, watches as a UH-58 Kiowa helicopter provides cover in the area of Sigin Village on January 1. Cain was monitoring the area near a command wire the unit found while on patrol.

The company had been hit by improvised explosive devices in the area in the past and called out the 744th Ordnance Company’s explosive ordnance disposal team to locate an IED, but it wasn’t found. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Matson, Task Force Red Bulls Public Affairs)
Qal-eh-ye Becomes Airfield
The Qal-eh-ye is now an airfield in Afghanistan that receives both helicopter and fixed-wing traffic. Pictured is an Italian A129 Mangusta landing at the Qal-eh-ye now airfield. (Photo courtesy ISAF)

Afghan Police CRU Conducts Heli Training
Members of the Afghan National Police Crisis Response Unit board a MI-17 helicopter during training conducted by International Security Assistance Force Special Operations Forces in Surobi, Afghanistan on Dec. 9, 2010. During the training scenario the CRU performed an air assault and then raided a compound that had been taken over by insurgents. (ISAF photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Swafford)

Afghan Captain Keeps Crews, Helicopters Safe

Forces Improve Helicopter Landing Zone in South

Bell T-407 Training Helicopters Benefit Government of Iraq

China

AVIC to Produce 300 Helicopters by 2015
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) helicopter company anticipates manufacturing more than 300 helicopters each year, becoming one of the major suppliers worldwide by 2015. AVIC’s Tianjin helicopter base was built in May 2009. The AC311, a two-ton light multipurpose helicopter, rolled off the assembly line in Tianjin in November 2010 followed by its first flight. The Guiyang municipal government and the Public Security Bureau of the Tianjin Binhai New Area inked contracts with AVIC to buy two helicopters. The Tianjin base is positioned as a civil helicopter general assembly line, forming high-end capacities such as development, integration and customized modification. But the base is not engaged in research, development and production of helicopter parts and components directly. The AVIC base covers 30,000 square meters and its surrounding area totals more than 80,000 square meters. The Tianjin base’s first-phase general assembly workshops—covering 20,000 square meters—have been completed.

India

Congress Supports AH-64D Block III Apache Sales
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the U.S. Congress on December 22 of a possible foreign military sale to India of various engines, equipment, weapons, training, parts and logistical support for a possible direct commercial sale of 22 AH-64D Block III Apaches. The complete package is worth approximately $1.4 billion. The Indian government has requested proposals from several foreign suppliers, including the U.S., to provide the next generation attack helicopter for the Indian Air Force. In this competition, India has yet to select the Boeing-U.S. Army proposal. This notification is being made in advance so that, in the event that the Boeing-Army proposal is selected, the United States might move as quickly as possible to implement the sale. If selected, the Indian government will request a possible sale of 50 T700-GE-701D engines, 12 AN/APG-78 fire control radars, 12 AN/APR-48A radar frequency interferometers, 812 AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow missiles, 542 AGM-114R-3 Hellfire II missiles, 245 Stinger Block I-92H missiles, and 23 Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensors, rockets, training and dummy missiles. Also on the list is 30mm ammunition, transponders, simulators, global positioning system/inertial navigation systems, communication equipment, spare and repair parts; tools and test equipment, support equipment, repair and return support, personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation, U.S. government and contractor engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support to be provided in conjunction with the proposed direct commercial sale of 22 Block III Apaches. Prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin Corporation in Orlando, Florida; General Electric Company, in Cincinnati Ohio; Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensor in Owego, New York; Longbow Limited Liability Corporation in Orlando, Florida; and Raytheon Company in Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Denmark

MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to Denmark of a dozen MH-60R Seahawks and associated parts, equipment and logistical support for an estimated cost of $2 billion. Denmark has requested a possible sale of the 12 helicopters, 27 T-700 GE 401C engines (24 installed and 3 spares), communication equipment, support equipment, spare parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $2.0 billion.
The proposed sale of the MH-60Rs will improve Denmark’s anti-submarine and surface warfare capability and provide an improved search and rescue and anti-ship surveillance capability and to carry out international commitments for transport, surveillance, and SAR operations with the U.S. and other allies. Denmark will also use these aircraft to strengthen its homeland defense and protect critical infrastructure. Denmark currently operates AgustaWestland Lynx helicopters. Prime contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Conn., Lockheed Martin in Owego, N.Y., General Electric in Lynn, Mass., and Raytheon in Portsmouth, R.I.

Do you receive The Collective?

This weekly e-letter features an in-depth Story of the Week, Top News Picks, Helicopter Jobs and commentary from our Facebook page.
Sign up now and stay up-to-date about all the happenings in the rotorcraft world.